The Red Arm of Absalom - Ongoing Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master GM Red

Gameday still lasts until November 25th....that's quite a while before i get to see what boon i get for GM'ing and rolling one back at the Sky Key.

Perform (Wind): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Sirettis plays the flute. Pretty well, too.

What the heck are these cards?

Mr Peppers focuses his time on the ARCANE because its a full time job. Posers.

Right here, Mr. Peppers. Basically, a set of goals that you can work towards for your faction and receive bonuses as you complete them.

Oh that's neat. Am I able to do those retroactively? If I completed any of them in my first 3 missions? And when did season 8 begin?

Yes, so long as you're checking them off for missions you completed after the cards were released. I believe they were released August 2016, but I'm having trouble finding the exact date.

With things like forgoing downtime to roll for a goal, it may be hard to check them off now since you'd have to track down your GM so they can witness your roll. Then again, I was your GM for at least one of those 3 missions :)

Forgoing daytime check to do a wisdom check. DC 15 for the goal if I'm not mistaken.

Wisdom check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Just missed. Bummer.

Profession (covert agent): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

It seems i'm given a job of low importance.

Darn.

I took the Archive because it seemed to fit the underlying Sith attitude, but with the faction cards, it would have been much, much easier to be in the exchange.

Hehe I took my faction because it fit the background of Uesugi. Seems I'll need to become a diplomat for Uesugi. At least Bishop's task seem easier

Ya I would expect the cards to be a bit variable from season to season to be more interesting. I'll need to do a bit of research to see what I qualified for so far and when I could have checked off what. Not having a 'side job' makes those rolls easier.

Some of those goals are sort of up to GM interpretation and the instructions for the cards say to be lenient about it. Some are very precise (obtain a named text) while others have wiggle room.

One other thing to note is that a max of one goal can be completed per adventure.

Does this adventure satisfy this requirement?

Participate in an adventure that directly assists an NPC Pathfinder agent or agent of an allied organization, such as by mounting a rescue, recovering an important object, or defending that group’s resources and reputation.

I'm also assuming this adventure and the Sky Key satisfy this one?

Adventure in a nation other than Absalom. You may only receive credit for visiting a particular nation once. Checking one of this goal’s boxes does not prevent you from checking one box for a different goal.

I also would have qualified for the following after Sky Key. Not sure how that works, I guess I'd need to send you my completion sheets?

Complete at least three consecutive scenarios in which you completed both the primary and secondary success conditions. Sanctioned adventures that do not include secondary success conditions neither interrupt not contribute to this goal.

Are we all going to be starting in this same campaign? Do we have a time frame on when I need to get Cup together?

Hmm

No Day Job here, but Ace will try to finalize a report.

Wisdom Check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

He did rather poorly...

Currently Uesugi and Gallix are tramping through the jungle and I think we are over halfway complete so it is dependent on when they will be finished. I think you at least have a week maybe two all depends on how fast the posting goes in that scenario.

Does this adventure satisfy this requirement?

I did see that one but I was a little iffy about it because 1) Delroya isn't a Pathfinder agent, 2) I don't know if we could call the Kortos Consortium an ally of the Society. The Kortos are a criminal syndicate masquerading as merchants.

I'm also assuming this adventure and the Sky Key satisfy this one?

The nation/island and its capital are both referred to as Absalom, and Diobel is city on that island. There's a beautiful world map here, if you're so inclined. 7-10 won't satisfy it but the Sky Key Solution will.

I also would have qualified for the following after Sky Key. Not sure how that works, I guess I'd need to send you my completion sheets?

No need to send me anything, as with most PFS recordkeeping, we'll use the honor system. The only thing I'd need to witness are rolls.

Are we all going to be starting in this same campaign? Do we have a time frame on when I need to get Cup together?

Yeah, you probably have a week (maybe two)? I haven't run the mission that Uesugi and Gallix are playing so I'm not sure how far along they are.

D, did you decide on what you're going to do as far as slow/normal track or if you'll play a different PC?

Participate in an adventure that includes at least two encounters that do not take place on the Material Plane.

Resolve an encounter with an organization led by genies, elemental forces, or those who revere them.

Neither of these seem applicable? There was some weird s+## going on in Sky Key so you never can quite tell...

Yes.

I don't want to put myself in a 10+ PP setback.
That's a bit too much for my taste.

I think i'll do what i planned earlier. Start with a fresh PC, and have D. go full track in the 3rd module.

I'm browsing the boards for inspiration, as i'll try to make something unorthodox. Since we're with 7, i'll go for something (semi)supportive

@Mr. P I'm going to say yes to that first one. Those time bubbles were sort of like demiplanes and you definitely were not 'in' Golarion anymore but rather in some sort of time distorted copy of it.

I'd like to thank Mr. Peppers for his questions, as I now know more about Golarion's history and planes than I did yesterday :)

@D Sounds reasonable to me. I would probably do the same thing.

I don't want to put myself in a 10+ PP setback.

That's a bit too much for my taste.

Can you explain this to me? How exactly is it a setback? Just on the time spent/resources gained? If you are on the slow track then xp and resources gained are halved, but all in all you will end up with the same resources/lvl just needing more missions/time to do so correct?

Mr Peppers will be 2.34 level after we finish this so I'll need to go at the slow pace for the first 1 level module, so .5 levels, leaving me at level 2.84 to start the second module? Then I can go normal pace for the 2nd and 3rd correct? Ending the three modules at what... level 4.84? How does this affect playing the higher end modules being at that weird xp?

PS, I ask a lot of questions, I'm glad you enjoy answering them!

Also, seeing as I don't have any other goals that were tied to this mission and I don't have a downtime roll, I'll try to formalize my report for credit: Intelligence DC15: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 It appears my report isn't formatted to PFS standards... I'll need to do better next time.

What are the benefits of formalizing report roll?

I think he means it's a setback because he's taking less credit for completing the modules. He could technically bring a 0 XP PC up to Level 4 if he ran it with normal advancement. If he runs with slow advancement, he's getting halved rewards (XP, Gold, and Prestige). Some might see this a waste, others might not care.

As long as you don't pass level 3 by the start of chapter 3, your character will be rewarded a chronicle.

And don't you mean Mr. Peppers will be at 2.5 after this? You get half an XP for slow tracked scenarios.

@Bishop Formalizing a report is one of the faction goals for Grand Lodge. It's for Mr. Peppers' card.

Hang on... I confused myself. You'd need to run 6 half XP scenarios for a level so 2.16.. 2.34.. Gotcha.. I see what you did there.

Ah, math...

I had something typed out, but it got eaten.

Mr. Peppers will be 2.1 after this. :)
No, even if i'd do but 1 module half track, i'd end up on 3.05, excluding D. from the appropriate lvl for play, as Red mentioned we can't play when we're above lvl 3.

Thus i've got to lvl D. with a normal mission, and play the first 2 modules with a fresh PC.

Alright let's do MATH.

(I cannot believe that I'm saying this. Gaming math and I have an adversarial relationship.)

If Mr. D would 2.2 level at the end of Consortium Compact, that means that he is currently 2.1. 2.1 is 4xp. I'm assuming that D has gotten full prestige so far, so he sitting at 4XP, 8 fame.

If you slowtrack CC, D will be 4.5 XP and 9 fame. End at level two.

Slowtrack Gallows of Madness part 1: 6XP, 11 fame. -- end at level three
Slowtrack Gallows of Madness part 2: 7.5 XP and 13 fame. -- still end at level 3
Slowtrack Gallows of Madness part 3: 9XP and 15 fame. -- end at level 4

If you do all three, you can also get an additional chronicle sheet at the end that would grant 3XP and 6 fame and in-tier money, or just the cool options at the end.

I don't see how you would lose anything by slow-tracking, Mr. D.

You will lose out a little on PP progression by doing modules rather than scenarios, but hey... This gives us an option that everyone in the team can do, which is kind of nice.

Hmm

Also... Here's a question. Where will we be, between games? Where can Cup meet up with the team for some pre-game chat? Diobel? Absalom? Isger? And if in Isger, where? Elidir? Are we in the era when Pathfinders can openly travel in Cheliax (as has happened after the events of Faithless & Forgotten) or are we going to have to meet in the underground room of the Temple of Erastil in Elidir and sneak our ways in?

A bonus sheet worth an entire level's reward?

(Scratches chin)

Thanks for the calculations, Hmm! I loathe gaming math.

Yep, there's a tasty fourth chronicle with another 3 XP on it if you complete the whole thing.

As for where you'll bump into Cup... The typical tavern meeting in Absalom? Along the road during the current group's travels towards Isger? Maybe Cup is a member of a traveling gnome singing band? Or maybe she's already in Saringallow for some reason?

With the week break, we can certainly use the time to have you guys meet.

I guess I'm still confused on what level these modules can be run at.

Can the first module be run while level 2?
Can the second be run while level 3?
Can the third be run while level 4?

I am currently at 4xp. Will it matter in the long run if I go to 5xp at the end of this verses 4.5?

Are we openly traveling in Isger? Are we under current day treatment of Pathfinders (legal but suspicious), or historical (outlawed)?

If you slow track, you can start on level 2, and still be level 3 by the start of Part 3. You need to be level 3 at the START of Part III.

I am currently at 4xp. Will it matter in the long run if I go to 5xp at the end of this verses 4.5?

You can start at either 4.5 or 5XP if you'd like. I was starting D at 4.5 because he wanted to end on an whole number of XP.

Hmm

Yes. Let's go with legal but suspicious so as not to add too much complexity to the meeting.

Mr. Peppers, yes, you can play any of the parts at Level 3, just not Level 4.

Edit: Am I wrong? Let me go reread the rules.

BTW, I realize that the above question about timeline is the kind of question you only get from a fellow GM whose GMed other adventures in Isger... I clearly will have to put knowledge local on Cup.

Hmm

Well based on what you both have explained, I'll need to slow track the first and second modules no matter what to stay below 9xp for the 3rd module.

If I take full xp from this one that'll have me at 5xp to start mod 1, 6.5 for mod 2, and 8 to start mod 3. If I slow track this one I'll start mod 3 with 7.5 xp. I may as well take full xp for this scenario, then slow track the next 2, and normal track the final.

So with that said, I should end up with 11xp after the 3rd scenario finishes plus an additional 3xp for doing all three correct? So 14 xp... which is 1xp short of level 6?

Mr. Peppers' calc sounds fine for me.

Btw, are there any repeatables on higher levels?
Tier 4-5 or 5/6 in that case.

There is one repeatable at higher level, the brand new 3-7 evergreen, From the Tome of Righteous Repose.

If we get that far... and I hope we do... I'd be willing to GM that for the group (you too, Red) if we get finished with this set of modules.

Hmm

You bet. I trust I'll need a break after a three chapter module. :)

Mr. Peppers, that sounds right.

If I'm understanding correctly, then, both Mr. Peppers and D will take 7-10 at standard advancement?

Si

Ja.

Table reported and chronicles have been sent. Another great Red Arm game :)

Secondary success (3/5 needed)
[ ] They must achieve impressive success in the first task they choose to undertake for Delroya.
[x] They must achieve impressive success in the second task they choose to undertake for Delroya.
[x] They must handle the Kortos Consortium agents in encounter D2 without resorting to violence.
[x] They must handle both waves of agents in area D without causing extensive damage to any Kortos Consortium property, including the warehouse and goods within.
[x] They must, over the course of the adventure, behave in a cooperative manner.

I would ruin what an impressive success is, but you may play this again at some point... :)

Hooray for the bluffs, and none of us blowing up the warehouse from orbit.

Ya there's a reason to leave those burning hands in your back pocket sometimes... especially when its not your house!

I have a sorcerer, in way of the wicked though, who'd lock them up and torch the place. Or in the least spread some explosive runes around the place. :)

As he's based upon a character, he's power hungry and is evocation specced. ;)

But speaking of nuking from orbit. I read once about a Kingmaker game, wherein two powerful casters had created a flying platform and crafted a gargantuan astral bomb.

They flung it at the rivaling kingdom's capital, and had the imprint of an angry deity on it. So imagine the face of [insert deity] coming at you...

Yes...that left little left.

I should start recording how long are discussion threads get. I love it. Feels like a weekly face to face group gaming with you guys! Talk about scoring it big when my samurai bumped into you guys (Red and Hmm) included.

I wish all games moved as fast as ours!

This is definitely the fastest pace game group i've ever joined.

Speaking about that:
Mondays and Tuesdays are only early morning and evening for me.
I don't sit behind the PC like Red and Mr. Peppers for a living. :)

I, as one of the rare few, don't use a smartphone.

Hehe, I agree Uesugi. I'm thankful to have such great active players to play with! I used to get quite discouraged with PbPs because they always seemed like they'd grind to a halt a few weeks after starting. Our group has renewed my interest and made me a little bit of an addict.

Yeah I'm behind a PC all day Monday to Friday. I'm a developer but the type of company I work for affords me a lot of flexibility... As long as the work is done, I can be on Paizo as much as I want.

Any reason for being anti smartphone, D?

Well, mainly because i hadn't needed one, and i use pre-paid credit.

I have a cellphone to call with and text, and that's about it.

In my defense, or should i say my cellphone's defense, mine is less susceptable to injuries, and hacking/malware.

My screen doesn't get a burst when it falls flat on its face, nor is interesting to steal, or high tech enough to download viruses.

It will function, when a smartphone will stop functioning, is what i'd reckon. :D

Though i might switch in the future, and keep this current cellphone as a backup.

Thanks for the Chronicle, GM!

I resisted a cellphone for years until they integrated maps into it. I added a rubber case to mine and it's good to go. Took me years to upgrade. I'm not a phone guy, anyway.

Okay, time to buy some scrolls for Isa to learn...

So...has anyone here played Blood Under Absalom???

I will be one of the GMs for the one starting January 17. It's a murderhobo scenario, but you guys murder with style. I had a rotten GM for this when I played it, and I'm looking to make this a little bit more fun then the horrible mess it was when I played it. If there's going to be a ton of combat, I want to have a group who is at least fun for that... Would any of you be interested then? I'm also asking around to other fun players I know.

Hmm

Murder with style?

We defend ourselves in desperately brutal fashion...at most ^^

But no, i haven't played it.
What level is it for?

I have:
2 lvl 1 PCs undetermined
A lvl 2 witch, (Because hexes are cool)
A lvl 2 hunter
A lvl 3 swashbuckler/ninja
A lvl 4 pre-unchained summoner.
From back when you could actually tinker with the looks.